When a body is infected with a virus, such as the flu, the immune system works tirelessly to fight off the infection. This battle can cause muscle inflammation and weakness, a condition known as myositis, or joint and muscle pain, referred to as myalgia. Additionally, pain in the joints, termed arthralgia, is also commonly associated with fever.
The average body temperature is approximately 98.6°F (37°C). However, “normal” body temperature can vary from person to person and fluctuates throughout the day, often rising slightly after eating or exercising. In the morning, body temperature is generally lower than in the afternoon. A fever is clinically defined when body temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
It’s important to note that symptoms of a cold, such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose, typically do not include shortness of breath, body aches, chills, loss of appetite, or fever, distinguishing it from COVID-19. Seasonal allergies, caused by an immune response to substances like tree pollen, also do not behave like a virus.
A fever represents an increase in body temperature above the normal range. While there is variability in body temperature among individuals, fever is generally recognized as an early morning temperature higher than normal. This elevation in temperature is a physiological response to infection, whether from a virus like the novel coronavirus, another virus, or bacteria. To facilitate this, blood flows from the extremities towards the core, heart, and brain, aiding in preserving heat and raising body temperature.
During bouts of cold and flu, which affect millions annually, symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sniffling, achiness, and fever are common. Colds are generally milder, while flu symptoms, such as high fever and body aches, tend to be more intense.
Acute inflammation is a natural bodily response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain around tissues and joints. This occurs as the immune system releases white blood cells to surround and protect the affected area, a crucial part of the body’s defense mechanism.
For adults experiencing an abnormally elevated temperature, it’s essential to understand that normal body temperature can vary. Fever is often considered present when body temperature exceeds 99.9 degrees, as it rarely climbs above this threshold without a reason.
To learn more about the muscle and joint pain during the flu, visit NewsFever in adults. For further information on treating fever in adults, refer to Harvard Health.
